PUNTLAND— A tribal group from Iraq’s southern Basra province has claimed that it successfully recovered an oil tanker allegedly hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

According to members of the group, nearly 40 people traveled to the Gulf of Aden after learning that an oil tanker owned by an Iraqi businessman had reportedly been seized, with its crew allegedly being held onboard.

The group said it launched an operation to locate the tanker and identify those controlling the vessel before moving to recover the ship and secure the release of its crew.

Tribal sources claimed that the tanker was taken back from the suspected pirates following a confrontation. They said several individuals believed to be involved in the alleged hijacking were captured, while others fled the area.

The circumstances surrounding the reported confrontation, including the identities of those involved and the current status of the crew, remain unclear.

The incident comes as the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast continue to serve as major shipping routes for commercial and energy vessels. Maritime security remains a concern in the region, where piracy and other threats have periodically disrupted international shipping.

The claims have not been independently verified, and no official statement confirming the reported operation was immediately available.